I wanted to try and update every few days, but life got in the way as usual. Packing is going well, almost done in both my and Scott’s apartments.  Now we’re trying to figure out the logistics of how to get everything into the truck before we actually have the truck.  Pre-planning will hopefully save us some time.

Hopefully.

Mom and Momma left this morning for home.  I’m so glad they could come and keep me company during this crazy time.  Mom’s help in packing was priceless.  I don’t know if I could have done this without her.

When we weren’t packing, we were out and about in town.  No trip is complete without a visit to the Dairy Godmother in Alexandria.  I lived in Del Ray during my first year in DC, and we still go back every visit to have some custard-y goodness.  (Well, I usually get sorbet, but that’s another story.)

This time, though, the place was a madhouse!  The line wrapped around itself three times, with people constantly streaming in for dessert.  We couldn’t figure out why . . . and then someone in line reminded us of the special guest who stopped in back in June.  Apparently, it’s been busy ever since.

my friend scott and i just had a hilarious conversation about Obama and Biden arriving in DC for the Inauguration by train.

Scott: i like when they dig up random old photos
i also really dig the story. i caught in on the wapost this morning
me: me too.
i’m exicted about it.
i love amtrak
and i want our administration to love it too.
Scott: it fits well b/c of joe
i wonder if it was his idea
Scott: “will they call this Amtrak One?”
me: hahaha
they should call it Colonial One
Scott: heh
well if it were acela…
acela one would sound pretty cool
me: oooh
Scott: regional one?
me: hahaha
local one
slow-ass one
Scott: haha
bumper sticker: we brake for terrorism
me: AHAHAH
“we brake for cows.  sometimes.”
Scott: hey its not like they can continue a train when the tracks are out
well in all reality…’
“we break for norfolk southern”
me: haha, true
Scott: that’s amtraks motto tho
yea [someone] pointed out that it will screw up the people planning to arrive by rail…
man that hit me… whats the best mode of transportation to royally f— up for the day?
me:ha
train, by far
affects the least amount of people
Scott:its already screwed
whats a little more?
me: and can you imagine the insanity when people who already have tickets find out obama’s on their train?
Scott: well they have a few options:
1) run another line
2) kick everybody off the train
3) hop a random train
4) dump him in a boxcar
me: hahahah
they’ll probably just close off that car for him and the press.
Scott: heh
i bet they’ll run a special train just for him & his people
Scott: probably 2 or 3 cars + engine
im sure amtrak can dig up some fancy old train
me: yeah, that would be the smartest thing to do.  but then people will complain about the ‘waste’ of running it corporate-jet-style
an old locomotive
like a Lincoln era coal one.
the environmentalists will love that.
Scott: haha
refit it with an electric engine
hahaha
although there are other ways to make steam than using coal
me: true.
still.  ohh, what a photo op.
obama and biden, and their families, waving out a locomotive on their way to washington.
Scott: yup
me: someone needs an 8×10 speed graphic with flash powder, stat.
Scott: haha
Sent at 2:32 PM on Tuesday

i could have written so many more words, but the one thing that kept coming to mind was “thank you.”

in the Washington Post today, they had a section in ‘opinions’ that consisted of things that people – pundits, politicians, executives, military, and even a comedy writer – thought should be Obama’s first course of action.  each writer mentioned something different, from the war in Iraq to healthcare to taxes to the economy.  there are so many important causes on this list of necessities for fixing, and it’s going to be a quite some time before each can be addressed.  to be strong to the world, we need to be strong at home first – and a long road of repair lies ahead of us.  but even still, we have hope.

and with hope, anything can happen.  with hope, there’s motivation.  and with motivation, there’s individual contribution.  and with this contribution, even as simple as remembering to turn the lights off before we leave the house, or by helping our kids with their homework, we can begin to create change.  it may be small on an individual level, but start adding up those little bits on a national level, and now we have a tidal wave of positive change.

so, thank you.

thank you for giving us hope in these tumultuous times.

All around town in Washington, DC yesterday, the news was a-buzz . . . No newspapers left! The Washington Post sold out by 9am (according to reports), and even their 250,000 run commemorative edition released in the afternoon sold out, too. People were lining up all over town to get their hands on one of these now-historical papers. News stands all throughout the area were empty of any paper dated November 5th, from the Wall Street Journal to USA Today to all the non-local dailies available at specialty and book stores.

Even today, papers were sold out of boxes all over town. The specialty newsstand near my office was full of people pouring over the country’s papers, trying to decide which to buy. Perhaps this rush of tangible newspaper buying will inspire people to continue the habit? Maybe this is what our industry needs – a reminder of why the printed page is so important. Maybe.

And me? Due to an unforseen string of late-ness all day yesterday (directly related to attending the rally on Monday night in Manassas, waking up extra-early for voting in Virginia, and staying out all night with the revelers on the streets of DC), I missed out. No newspapers left anywhere I checked. Sadness.

This morning, I picked up three different newspapers. Better late than never!

Yes we can!!!

(photo of us cheering Virginia going blue, moments before the official announcement of Obama passing 270 votes.)

I just got home from the Obama rally in manassas. Many many photos are on their way. Until then, here’s one as proof.

i, like millions of americans tonight, just watched a speech that some analysts are calling “a political masterpiece” (as stated on CNN’s broadcast).  not only was it moving, powerful, and poignant, but it was full of hope – hope for the future, hope for the United States, and hope for each and every American.

Barack Obama’s acceptance speech delivered real ideas and real plans for the direction of our country, and pointed out the most important issues we need to address:  the economy.  healthcare.  foreign relations.  energy.  education.  the list goes on.  these are achievements we’ve only dreamed about in the past – and now, we have a voice that will fight for them and make them a reality.

to paraphrase an age old concept, we must be strong for ourselves before we can be strong for others.  we need to rebuild and regroup.  we need to re-establish ourselves and grow strong again.  we need to set these independent ideas, ideas that helped found our country in the first place and create the land of the free, in motion.

we need change, and we need it now.

friends, together we can make this happen.  let’s see it through to November!

:: www.barackobama.com ::

Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

***

i am the least political Washingtonian around. i’ve never wanted to follow politics, nor have i ever wanted to work in it. how i ended up in the most political of towns, i’ll never know. (actually, i do know – thanks, theresa.)

but tonight, i watched two of the most amazing speaches at the Democratic National Convention. yes. me. watching the most polarized political event of the year, of the last four years, and of the next four. and twice, i was brought to tears.

if there were just two people in the world to look up to, two people who shine without a spotlight, it would be Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama. tonight, i learned that they both have worked in their careers for the betterment of the average American. they speak from their hearts, and they truly believe in their words and work. they can inspire those who have never turned an ear to policy, and inspire those numb to the status quo of Washington.

they’ve inspired me, and i hope they’ve inspired others like me as well.

i feel confident in putting my faith in the world as it should be, and in those who can get us there.

the possibilities are endless.